Sunday, March 2, 2014

Prussian Napoleonic Dragoons, 1808-1815

Like the rest of the Prussian Army, the Dragoon arm of the Prussian Cavalry was reduced more than 50% as a result of the provisions of the Treaty of Tilsit in 1807; the former thirteen regiments of Dragoons shrunk to only six. The Prussian Dragoons wore coats in light blue (various sources indicate any where from light shy blue to Royal blue hues). For full dress, the dragoons wore a Kollet jacket similar to that of the Curirassiers. This had the collar, cuffs, shoulder tabs, and the piping on the turnbacks all in the regimental color. For ordinary field dress, however, the :Litewka jacket was worn. This had no turnbacks, and the cuffs were only piped in the regimental color. Belts were white, and the usual Prussian grey cavalry overalls were worn,. The black shako had a plate on the front depicting a heraldic Prussian Eagle, in the button color, with cords and cap lines also in the button color )a Guard star was worn by the Normal squadron instead) and the usual black within white Prussian cockade; however, on campaign, the oilskin shako cover was customarily worn. In fill dress a white plume was worn through 1810, thereafter a white bush (the usual distinctions for Officers, NCO's and musicians)/. The Dragoon saddle cloths were rounded at both end, and were light blue with a double border in the regiment's facing color.

Prussian Dragoons 1808 - 1815

Regt

Name

Facings

Buttons

1

Queen’s Regiment

Crimson

White

2

1st West Prussian

White

White

3

Lithuanian

Scarlet

Yellow

4

2nd West Prussian

Scarlet

White

5

Brandenburg

Black

Yellow

6

Neumark

Rose (light) Red

White

7

Rheinish*

White

Yellow

8

Mageburg*

Yellow

White

* = Regiments raised in 1813
The Normal Dragoon Squadron had red facings, yellow metal buttons, and yellow litzen on the collars and cuffs.
DR #5 was also known as the "Prinz Wlhelm" Regiment.

This is Dragoner-Regiment No. 2, the Erstes Westpreussiches. Tjheir facing color is white, although the cuffs of the L:itwka should be piped in white rather than solid white as seen here.

These are 25mm Old Glory figures, with GMB flags.

This is Dragoner-Regiment No, 1, Konigin.

This unit was distinguished by crimson facings and white metal buttons.

The usual "swallows nest" is seen here on the shoulders of the trumpeter's Litewka, in the facing color (crimson) laced with the button color (white).

One of these distant future days I hope to upgrade my "vintage" Prussian Dragoons and Hussars to proper 28mm scale. My regiments are small 25mm (if that scale) but they have seen over 30 years of valiant tabletop service.

and yes... the Prussian blue makes them stand out on the open plains of tabletop gaming.

Any 1813+ Freiwilligen Jager sqns for the Dragoons? I added mine to all my Prussian infantry and cavalry units which had them. Adds to the "Prussian look of uniform confusion on the tabletop.

May the veterans fight on for many more decades! I did replace my venerable Scruby's and almost all of the "old" Minifigs almost 20 years ago now, had, but my 1970's era Minifigs soldier on in many eras, and I have no intention of ever replacing them.